Kansas City, Mo., May 16, 2009 / 11:00 am
Years after exchanging the gridiron and goalposts for vestments and the altar, Father Richard Rocha is again taking up coaching, of a sort. As the new Director of Vocations, he will be recruiting, mentoring young men in the process of discernment and cheering them on.
Father Rocha, who grew up in St. Joseph, Missouri had always dreamed of coaching football, even while hearing this constant, quiet voice calling him to something greater, the priesthood. It took 14 years for him to answer, while he lived his original dream of coaching. In 1996, he finally realized that it wasn’t what he wanted, it was what God wanted. He made the decision to enter the seminary and study for the priesthood at the age of 34.
He understands the uncertainty and rebellion many young men feel when they first think they hear the call. He also understands the power of prayer when it comes to vocations.
“My mother prayed every day for 14 years that I would become a priest, praying to St. Jude and Our Lady of Guadalupe,” he said. “I had no chance.”